Wheel assembling machine



April 29, 1952 SHARPE 2,594,506

WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 1'7, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet l l H I:

ll 0 M JNVENTOR. FREDERICK P. SHARPE,

BY; 2 3 i ATTORNEYS.

April 29, 1952 s RP WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledOct. 17, 1949 I N VEN TOR.

FREMRICK P. 5PM RPE ATTORNEYS April 29, 1952 F. P. SHARPE 2,594,506

WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed 001;. 17, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 5JNVENTOR.

FRE ERI K P. SHARPE.

April 29, 1952 F. P. SHARPE WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Oct. 17, 1949 INVENTOR. FRFDERIC K P. SHARPE.

Arron/vs r5,

April 29, 1952 F. P. SHARPE WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Oct. 1'7, 1949 INVEN TOR. FREDERKK P. SHARPE ATTOR EYS.

April 29, 1952 F. P. SHARPE 2,59

WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed 001;. 17, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVE ,R.meosmcx P. 5 Pl.

A TTOR/VE rs.

April 29, 1952 F. P. SHARPE WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE 1O Sheets-Sheet 7Filed 00*;- 17, 1949 INVENTOR.

REOERKK P- SHARPE.

ATTORNEYS.

April 29, 1952 F. P. SHARPE WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 8Filed Oct. 17, 1949 INVENTOR. Fnedemcx P. SHARPE.

BY mm I4 7'TORNEY5.

A ril 29, 1952 F. P. SHARPE WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 9Filed Oct. 17. 1949 m m5 R m K K R l.- o a F ATTORNEYS,

April 29, 1952 SHARPE 2,594,506

WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE FiledOGt. 1'7, 1949 lO'Sheets-Sheet l0ELECTRONIC TIMER F08 Immune SOLENOID Hrvmuuc um? 96 INVENTOR. FREDERICKR SHARPE ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 29 1952 UNITED @STATES PATENT orrlcs2,594,506 WHEEL ASSEMBLING MACHINE Frederick P. Sharpe, Dearborn, Mich,,assignor to Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation ofDelaware Application October 17, 1949, Serial No. 121,866

13 Claims. 1

The invention relates to wheel assembling machines and refers moreparticularly to machines for assembling tire carrying rims and wheelbodies which when assembled and secured together form vehicle wheels.

The invention has for one of its objects to provide a machine which isdesigned to receive an initial loose assembly of rim and wheel body, to

advance the loose assembly and to then relatively axially move the rimand wheel body into the dc;- sired telescopic final assembly relation.

The invention has for another object to provide a machine which isprovided with mechanism for piercing the telescoped rim and wheel bodyto form the holes for receiving the means for 860111! ing the rim andwheel body together.

The invention has for still other objects to provide a machine havingpositioning means engage-,-

I able with the rim and wheel body to relatively and wheel bodywherebydistortion or deformation U of the rim and wheel body is avoided.

The invention has for a further object to provide a machine whichisautomatic in operation.

With these and still further objects in view, the invention resides inthe novel features of con.- struction and combinations and arrangementsof parts as more fully hereinafter setforth.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wheelassembling machine embodyingthe invention;

Figure 2. is an end view thereof with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 3 is atop plan view thereof with parts broken away and insection;

Figure 4 is a side elevation thereof with the upper portion omitted andwith parts broken away and in section; Figure 5 is a top plan viewthereof illustrating the hydraulic lines for the piercing units and thelubricating lines for the punches of the piercing units;

Figure 6 is a cross section on the line 66 of Figure 2;

Figures 7 and 8 iare cross sections respectively on the lines F ee-'1and 1878 o lsure .6;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a piercing unit;

r 10 is an outer end view thereof;

Figure 11 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 9A is a view similar to a portion of Figure 9 showing the anviland punch modified to effecting riveting;

Figure l2is a wiring diagram.

The machine illustrated in the present instance is designed to assemblea wheel body and a tire carrying rim in predetermined relation to eachother and to then form aligned holes in the wheel body and rim toreceive means for securing the wheelbody and rim together. Asillustrated, the wheel body is a spider having a central bolting-onportion, a web and radiating spokes, the web and spokes beingperipherally flanged, and the rim is a drop center rim.

The machine has the frame I carrying the pair of horizontal parallel rimguides 2 and the pair of horizontal parallel feeding carriage guides 3,the guides 3 being located between and below and extending parallel tothe guides 2. The rim guides are rabbeted to provide the horizontallongitudinally extending faces 4 for supporting the rim and the opposedvertical longitudinally extending faces 5 for guiding the rim, the rimbeing mounted on the guides with its outboard tire retaining flangesupported by the faces 4 and guided by the faces 5. The feeding carriageguides are opposed and channel shaped to receive the rollers 6 at theopposite sides of the base I of the reciprocable feeding carriage 8. Thebase has the transverse upright part 9 providing an upright face forengaging the edge of the outboard tire retaining flange of the rim. Thebase carries inadvance thereof the upright positioning pins [0, l I and;l2,the pin l0 being engageable in the valve stem hole of the rim'andthe pins I l and I2 being at opposite sides of the pin 10 and beingengageable in the spaces between the spider and rim at opposite sides ofa spoke of the spider. The con struction is such that when the rim isplaced upon the rim guides 2 with its outboard tire retaining flangeresting on the guides and with its valve stem hole engaged by the pin 10and the spider is placed upon and partially nestedw-ithin the rim withthe outboard side of the spider facing downwardly and one of the spokesof the spider between the pins II and t2, the pins lp, Hand I2 serve toangularly position the rim and spider with respect to themachine andeach other. Also the edgeof the outboard tire retaining flange engagesthe upright faceof the transverse part 9 of the base, thereby relievingthe pins H), H and I2 from the strain of advancing therim and 3 spider.The pins H), II and I2 are mounted on the bars l3 which extend forwardlyof the carriage and are longitudinally adjustably mounted on its base.

The carriage is adapted to be reciprocated between its loading andraising positions by a conventional or standard air cylinder l6 of thattype having a predetermined stroke of piston. More particularly the base1 of the carriage has secured thereto the depending plate M which isconnected to the piston rod l extending forwardly from the piston. Thecylinder extends horizontally midway between the guides 3 and is mountedat its forward end upon one of the cross bars of the frame I and hasports at its opposite ends for the passage of compressed air into andfrom the cylinder to move the piston through a predetermined distance orstroke in opposite directions.

The machine also has the fixed horizontal bottom plate I! which isformed with the radiating arms l8 secured to the upright posts I9intermediate their ends and at the sides of the frame I between itsends. The bottom plate is located below the guides 2 and 3 and hassecured thereto the depending vertical air cylinder of conventional orstandard construction and of that type having a predetermined stroke ofpiston. The cylinder has ports at its upper and lower ends for thepassage of compressed air to raise and lower the piston through apredetermined distance or stroke. 2| is the piston rod extendingupwardly from the piston through the bottom plate and having secured toits upper end the rim carrying plate 22 to which are secured thediametrically opposite depending guide rods 23 slidably passing throughbushings in the bottom plate. The rim carrying plate has peripherallymounted thereon the angularly spaced arcuate abutments 24 in the natureof blocks for engaging the lower face of the outboard tire retainingflange and the radially inner face of the outboard bead seat portion ofthe rim. The rim carrying plate 22 is formed with the recess 25 whichprovides clearance for the feeding carriage 8 and more particularly thepositioning pins III, II and I2 when the feeding carriage is in itsforward or advanced position so that when the rim carrying plate israised to pass from a position below the feeding carriage to a positionabove the feeding carriage no interference will occur between the plateand feeding carriage. Also the rim engaging blocks 24 are positioned toclear the rim guides 2 and the feeding carriage 8 during the raising ofthe rim carrying plate. 26 is the spider carrying plate above andresiliently mounted on the rim carrying plate 22 by the coil springs 21.28 are studs threaded into the spider carrying plate and passingdownwardly through the rim carrying plate and having heads at theirlower ends engageable with the lower face of the rim carrying plate tolimit the upward movement of the spider carrying plate awayfrom the rimcarrying plate under the influence of the coil springs. The spidercarrying plate 26 has the upwardly extending axial pilot 29 for engagingthe central hub hole of the spider and the upwardly extending angularlyspaced arcuate abutments 30 in the nature of projections for engagingthe lower faces of the hub flange seating parts of the bolting-onportion of the spider radially outwardly of the bolt holes. Also, thespider carrying plate 26 has the upwardly extending positioning pin 3|for engaging one of the bolt holes of the bolting-on portion of thespider.

To secure the final rim and spider assembly, the rim is moved upwardlyover the spider to a predetermined position after a predetermined upwardmovement of the spider. To limit the upward movement of the spider thereis the fixed abutment 32 in the nature of a plate depending from andsecured to the spacer body 33 which in turn depends from and is securedto the hub of the body 34 having the radial arms 35 directly abovecorrespondingly positioned radial arms of the spacer body. The body 34depends from and is secured to the top plate 36 which is generallytriangular and mounted on and secured to the upright posts l9. Thespacer body, abutment plate and body are in axial alignment and thespacer body has secured thereto the axial pilot tube 3'! for slidablyengaging the spider carrying plate 26 and a bushing in the rim carryingplate 22 when raised to guide both plates. To limit the upward movementof the rim, there are the fixed angularly spaced arcuate abutments 38 inthe nature of blocks secured to the lower faces at the radially outerends of the radial arms 35 of the body 34. The abutments 38 are locatedabove the abutments 24 and are engageable with the upper face of theinboard tire retaining flange of the rim. The lower faces of the fixedabutments 32 and 38 are spaced apart a predetermined vertical distanceto accurately locate the rim and spider axially relative to each otherwhen raised into contact with the abutments.

Assuming the feeding carriage 8 to be in loading position and themechanism including the rim carrying plate 22, the spider carrying plate26 and associated parts for raising the rim and spider to be in loweredposition and the initial loose assembly of rim and spider to be in placewith the rim mounted upon the rim guides 2 and engaging the carriage andthe valve stem hole of the rim engaged by the pin 9 and the spiderresting upon and partially nested within the rim and one of the spokesof the spider between the pins ID and the feeding carriage 8 is advanceda predetermined distance when fluid under pressure, such as compressedair, is admitted to the outer end of the air cylinder I6. As a resultthe initial loose rim and spider assembly is advanced to raisingposition. When fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, is admittedto the lower end of the air cylinder 20 the piston rod 2| is raised topositively raise the rim carrying plate 22 which in turn resilientlyraises the spider carrying plate 26 by means of the coil springs 21.While the plates are being raised the pilot 29 and the positioning pin3| of the spider carrying plate respectively engage the hub hole of thespider and a bolt hole in the bolting-on portion of the spider and alsothe projections 30 of the spider carrying plate engage the hub flangeseating parts of the bolting-on portion of the spider radially outwardlyof the bolt holes. Also during the raising of the plates, the abutmentblocks 24 of the rim carrying plate 22 engage the radially inner face ofthe outboard bead seat portion and the lower face of the outboard tireretaining flange of the rim. As a result both the spider and rim arecentered and the spider is angularly positioned. Upon continued raisingof the plates the bolting-on portion of the spider engages the fixedabutment 36 and then remains stationary while the rim carrying plate 22continues to be raised to force the rim upwardly over the spider andagainst the fixed abutment 32 at which time the peripheral flange at theradially outer ends of estates the spokes of the spider engages the baseof the well of the rim and the spider is correctly positioned axially ofthe rim and both the rim and spider are in final assembly and piercingposition. It will be noted that the coil springs 21 provide for theupward movement of the rim carrying plate 22 relative to the spidercarrying plate 26.

The mechanism for piercing the rivet holes in the base of the well ofthe rim and the peripheral flange at the radially outer ends of thespokes of the spider comprises piercing units each having the yoke 39andthe anvil 40 and the punch 4| carried by the yoke. In the presentinstance the spider has four spokes and three registering rivet holesare formed in the rim and the peripheral flange at the radially outerend of each spoke so that there arefour groups of three piercing unitsfor each'spoke with each group of piercing units extending radially ofth rim and spider in a space between adjacent radial arms of the body34. The yoke of each piercing unit is radially slidably carried by thetop plate 36 by being fixedly secured to the slide 42 which is radiallyslidably supported by the gibs 43 secured to the guide 44. The slide 42has the depending furcations 45 which embrace the upper portion of theyoke, the head 46 which slidably engages the furcations 41 of the guideand the neck 48 of less width than'the head 46 and furcations 45 andextending between gibs 43. The lower faces of the head at the oppositesides of the neck slidably engage the inner portions of the upper facesof the gibs. As illustrated the yoke is secured to the slide by thebolts 49 and 53, the gibs are secured to the guide by the bolts 5| andthe guide is secured to the top plate by the bolts 52. The holes throughthe top plate for receiving the bolts 52 are elongated radially ortoward the center of the top plate to provide for radially adjustablysecuring each guide 44 to the top plate.

The arm of each yoke carrying the anvil is positioned to extend radiallyinside the peripheral flange at the radially outer end of the spoke ofthe spider when the spider and the rim are in their raised positionsagainst their respective abutments. The other arm of the yoke ispositioned to be radially outside of the rim and has secured thereto theradially extending conventional or standard hydraulic cylinder 53. 54 isthe piston rod secured at its radially outer end to the pistonreciprocable within the cylinder and having secured to its radiallyinner end the holder 55 for the punch 4 I. The cylinder is provided atits ends with ports for the passage of a suitable liquid, preferablyoil, to and from th opposite ends of the cylinder to thereby reciprocatethe piston in both directions. The ports at the radially outer ends ofall the cylinders 53 are connected by the pipes 56 to the endless pipe51 mounted on the top plate 36 and the ports at the radially inner endsof all the cylinders 53 are connected by the pipes 58 to the endlesspipe 59 also mounted on the top plate 36.

When the parts of the piercing units are in their normal or inoperativepositions both the anvils and punches provide clearance for the spiderand rim when being raised or lowered. The normal or inoperative positionof each anvil is controlled by abutment of the nut 66 with the plate 6|,the nut being threaded upon the stud 62 passing radially through theplate and threaded into the slide 42 and the plate being secured to theradially outer end of the guide 44. The slide 42 and associated yoke 39are resiliently urged radially inwardly by the coil spring 63 extendingradially and abutting the radially outer side of the yoke and the collar64 upon the Stud 65. The stud extends radially through and threadedlyengages the lower end of the plate 5| and is locked in adjusted positionby the nut 66. The punch 4| is held in its normal radially outerposition by the oil under pressure acting upon the radially inner sideof the piston within the cylinder 53.

The construction of the piercing mechanism is such that with the partsin their normal or off position a spider and rim may be readily raisedbetween the anvil and punch, 46 and 4| respectively, of each, piercingunit. With the spider and rim in raised position and oil under pressurebeing admittedthrough the port into the radially outer end of thecylinder 53 of each piercing unit and oil being permitted to flow fromthe radially inner end of the cylinder, the piston within the cylinderis moved radially inwardly to bring the end of the punch 4| against thebase of the well of the rim and the cylinder is moved radially out-Wardly and with it the yoke 39 and slide 42 to bring the anvil 46against the radially inner side of the portion of the peripheral flangeat the radially outer end of a spoke. Then upon sufficient increase inpressure of the oil in the radially outer end of the cylinder thepiston'is advanced radially inwardly to force the punch throughthe rimand spider and pierce the rivet hole. Since the pressure acting upon theradially outer end of the cylinder is the same as the pressure actingupon the outer face of the piston, the

, pressure exerted by the anvil and the pressure exerted by the punchare balanced or equal so that the rim and spider are not distorted.After this occurs the oil is permitted to escape through the port at theradially outer end of the cylinder and oil under pressure is admittedthrough the port at the radially inner end of the cylinder and the punchis withdrawn or retracted to its normal or off position and the yoke andanvil are. moved radially inwardly by the coil spring 63 to normal oroif position.

For the purpose of lubricating the punches 4|, the oil pump 61 isprovided. This oil pump is of conventional or standard construction andcomprises the housing 68 having twelve pump compartments Within each ofwhich is located a cam secured to the shaft 63 which extendslongitudinally through the housing. The housing is mounted on theL-shaped brackets 10 and 1|, the. upright portions of which are securedto the bottom plate |1. Each pump compartment has an oil outletconnected to the tube 12 which leads to a point directly above a punchin retracted or normal or off position. The tubes have the parallelportions 13 extending upwardly from the outlets, the parallel portions14 extending horizontally to the post l9 at the rear side of the machineand nearest the discharge end of the machine, the parallel portions 15extending upwardly at the side of the post and the parallel portions 16extending over the edge of the top plate 36. 11 is a shield secured tothe post and extending over the upwardly extending portions 15. Inasmuchas there are four groups of three piercing units, the portions 18 of thetubes leading from the portions 16 are arranged in groups of three witheach group extending over the top plate 36 to a location above a groupof piercing units and then downwardly past the edge of the top plate andterminating at points directly above the punches 4|, when in theirretracted position.

To operate the oil pump the lower end of the guide rod 23 at the rearside of the machine has secured thereto the arm I9 which has pivotallysecured thereto the eye 80 which is slidably engaged by the lever BIsecured to the pump shaft 69. With this construction the shaft 69 willbe oscillated during the operation of the machine and more particularlyduring the raising and lowering of the mechanism for raising andlowering the rim and spider. During the lowering movement, a limitedamount of oil, preferably one drop, which is dependent on the capacityof the oil pump, is forced through the tubes and discharged on to thepunches which are in retracted position.

To control the operation of the machine, the start switch 82, the stopswitch 83 and the emergency stop switch 84 are provided, each beingoperable by push button backed by a spring opposing manual operation.The switches are conventional or standard and mounted on the frame I atits front side and loading end. The start switch 82 initiates theoperation of the valve and solenoid unit 85 which controls the operationof the air cylinder I6. The unit is mounted on the bar 86 extendingbetween and secured to the two posts I9 at the rear side of the machine.The valve and solenoid unit is conventional or stand-- ard and ingeneral comprises a valve, a solenoid for moving the valve in onedirection and a spring for returning the valve to its original position.The Valve is a four-way valve having one port connected to a pipe forsupplying fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, a second portopening to atmosphere and a third port and a fourth port connected bythe pipes 81 and 88 respectively to the outer and inner ends of thecylinder I6. By pushing the button of the start switch the solenoid isenergized to operate the valve to allow compressed air to flow throughthe pipe 81 to the outer end of the cylinder I6 to advance the pistonrod I and the carriage 8. At the same time the valve allows air todischarge from the inner end of the cylinder It through the pipe 88 tothe atmosphere.

To control the operation of the air cylinder 28, the valve and solenoidunit 89 is provided, it being mounted onthe bar 86. The unit 89 is thesame as the unit 85 with the valve having one port connected to theabove mentioned pipe for supplying compressed air, a second port openingto atmosphere and a third port and a fourth port connected by the pipes90 and 9| respectively to the lower and upper ends of the cylinder 20.To initiate the operation of the unit 89 there is the limit switch 92mounted on the bottom plate ll. The limit switch is conventional orstandard and in generalcomprises a movable contact, a stationarycontact, a swingable arm for moving the movable contact into engagementwith the stationary contact and a spring for normally holding themovable contact away from the stationary contact. The limit switch isnormally open and located so that its arm extends into the path oftravel of the pin 93 which depends from the base I of the carriage andengages the arm during the final portion of the advance of the carriage.As a result, the depending pin swings the arm to close the switch 52 andenergize the solenoid of the unit 89 which moves the valve to allowcompressed air to flow through the pipe 90 to the lower end of thecylinder 20 and to allow air to discharge from the upper end of thecylinder 20 through the pipe 9| to the atmosphere. The

mounted on the bar 95 depending from the bot-- tom plate IT. The limitswitch 94 is the same as the limit switch 92 and is located so that itsarm extends into the path of travel of the guide rod 23 at the frontside of the machine and the guide rod holds the arm down and the limitswitch.

closed until the rim and spider have been raised sufiiciently to clearthe positioning pins I0, I I and I2 after which the guide rod clears thearm of the limit switch and allows it to be opened by its spring. As aresult de-energization of the solenoid of the unit takes place and thespring of this unit returns the valve to its original position at whichtime compressed air is allowed to flow through the pipe 88 to the innerend of the air cylinder I6 and air is allowed to flow from the outer endof the cylinder through the pipe 81 to the atmosphere, thu returning thecarriage 8 to its starting or loading position.

To control the operation of the piercing units the hydraulic unit 96 isprovided at the rear side of the machine and the limit switch 91 isprovided to control operation of the hydraulic unit. The limit switch 97is of the same construction as the limit switches 82 and 94 and isnormallyopen and mounted on the top plate 36 with its arm in the path oftravel of the push rod 98/ This rod extends axially through the body 3 3and the pilot tube 31 and is engageable with the piston rod 2| duringthe final portion of its upward movement. the arm of the limit switch 91swings the same to close the limit switch which effects the opening,

of a by-pass valve in the hydraulic unit. The hydraulic unit is ahydraulic power generator and is conventional or standard and ingeneralcomprises an electric motor which operates continuously duringthe operation of the machine, suitable manually operable switch meansbeing provided to start and stop the electric motor.

The hydraulic unit also comprises an oil pump driven by the motor, avalve assembly, an'oil pressure intensifier, the above mentionedby-pass-v valve between the pump and valve assembly, a

solenoid for operating the by-pass valve and a relay in the circuitincluding the limit switch 91 for energizing the solenoid. The hydraulicunit; also comprises a limit switch 99 for controllingmally closed. Thehydraulic unit further comprises a spring loaded plunger which is movedby the oil against the resistance exerted by the spring into engagementwith the arm of the switch 99 to swing the same and disengage the.movable contact from the stationary contact thereby opening the switch.The solenoid for operating the by-pass valve is in a 440 volt circuitwhile the limit switch 91 and the relay for energizing the solenoid arein a 28 volt circuit.

The valve assembly comprises plunger or valves operated by the oil whenthe by-pass valve is opened and oil passageways controlled by the.

The push rod upon engaging plungers or valves and communicatin atdifferent times during the operation of the hydraulic unit with thepipes I99 and I! which are connected to the endless pipes 51 and 59.

When the limit switch 91 is closed by the push rod 99 the by-pass valveof the hydraulic unit is opened and the valve assembly of the unitoperates to connect the radially outer ends of the cylinders 53 to theoil pump to move the punches 4| and the anvils 49 respectively againstthe rim and the peripheral flange at the radially outer ends of thespokes of the spider. Then the intensifier operates and the oil pressurein the radially outer ends of the cylinders is increased and the puncheseffect the piercing after which the valve assembly operates, to connectthe radially inner ends of the cylinders to the oil pump and the oil andsprings 63 return the punches and anvils to their normal or offpositions. After this occurs, the oil pressure on the spring loadedplunger builds up and overcomes the force exerted by the plunger loadingspring moving the plunger against the arm of the limit switch 99 andopening the switch. The opening of the switch effects the de-energizingof the solenoid of the unit 99 allowing the valve of this unit to returnto its original position at which time compressed air is allowed to flowthrough the pipe 9| to the upper end of the air cylinder 29 and air isallowed to flow from the lower end of the cylinder to the atmosphere,thus returning the rim and spider carrying plates to their lowermostpositions and depositing the rim upon the guides 2. The pierced assemblyof rim and spider may be advanced and discharged from the machine by therim of the next initial loose rim and spider assembly when advancedduring the next cycle of operations.

Tocontrol the time interval during which the carriage 8 remains inloading position the electronic timer I92 and the limit switch I93 areprovided. The electronic timer I92 is conventional or standard andlocated in the panel box I94 along with the wiring circuits shown inFigure 12. The box is mounted upon the top plate 39 at the rear side ofthe machine. The limit switch I93 is of the same construction as thelimit switches previously mentioned and is mounted on the bar 95 so thatits arm extends into the path of the guide rod at the front side of themachine and is engaged by the guide rod during the final portion of itsdownward movement and swung downwardly thereby closing the limit switchand energizing the electronic timer. The electronic timer in turncontrols the timing of the energizing of the solenoid of the solenoidand valve unit 85.

The emergency stop switch 94 initiates the operation of the valve andsolenoid unit I95 which is mounted on the bar 99. This assembly isconventional or standard and in general comprises a valve, a solenoidfor moving the valve in one direction and a spring for returning thevalve to its original position. The valve is a three way valve havingone port connected to the compressed air supply pipe for the valves ofthe units 95 and 99, a second port connected to' the radially outer endof the air cylinder I6 and the lower end of the air cylinder 29 and athird port connected to the other ends of the air cylinders. ing thebutton of the emergency stop switch, the solenoid of the unit I95 isenergized and the solenoid operates the valve to equalize the pressureof air at both sides of the pistons oi the two By push-,

air cylinders so that their operation immediately stops.

The various parts described as conventional or standard or ofconventional or standard construction may be bought in the open marketand usually are made by more than one manufacturer.

The limit switches 92, 94, 99 and I93 are in 110 volt circuits while thesolenoids of the units 85, 89 and I95 are in 440 volt circuits.

To initiate the operation of the machine, assuming the electric motor ofthe hydraulic unit 96 to be operating, the operator pushes the button ofthe start switch 92 to close the same. Closing the start switchcompletes the electrical circuit to the relay CRI which shunts'the startswitch and holds the control circuit closed after the start switch isopened or released by the operator. Also, closing of the relay CRIcompletes a circuit to the electronic timer I92 and initiates operationof this timer. The timer completes a circuit to the relay CR2 and closesthe latter to energize the solenoid of the unit 85.

Energization of the solenoid operates the fourway valve of the unit toadmit air under pressure into the cylinder It at the outer side of thepiston in this cylinder and to connect the cylinder at the inner side ofthe piston to the exhaust. Thus the piston in the cylinder I9 is movedinwardly and the carriage 8 is advanced by the piston to its innermostposition at which time the initial loose assembly of rim and spider isin raising position.

As the carriage approaches its advanced or innermost position the limitswitch 92 is operated by the pin 93 of the carriage and the limit switchis closed to in turn close the relay CR3. Closing of the relay CR3energizes the solenoid of the unit 89 and operates a holding circuitwhich shunts the limit switch 92 in order to maintain the relay closedafter the limit switch 92 is opened.

Energization of the solenoid of the unit 89 operates the four-way valveof the same unit to connect the lower end of the cylinder 29 to thesource of air under pressure and to connect the upper end of thecylinder 29 to the exhaust. As a result the piston in the cylinder 29 ismoved upwardly and the rim and spider raising plates are elevated tolift the rim and spider. Upon initial upward movement of the raisingplates the circuit to the electronic timer I92 is opened by the normallyclosed limit switch I93 positioned to be cleared by the rod 23 at thefront side of the machine and allowed to open.

After the rim and spider raising plates are moved upwardly suflicientlyto clear the rim and spider from the positioning pins on the carriage,the limit switch 94 is cleared by the rod 23 and allowed to open.Opening of the limit switch 94 breaks the circuit to the relay CR2 andde-energizes the solenoid of the unit 85. De-energization of thesolenoid enables the four-way valve of the same unit to move to aposition wherein the inner end of the cylinder I6 is connected to thesource of air under pressure and the outer end of the cylinder I6 isconnected to the exhaust. Accordingly the piston in the cylinder I6 ismoved outwardly and the carriage is returned to its loading position,nevertheless the circuit to the solenoid of the unit 89 is maintainedclosed by the holding relay CR3 It follows from the above that the rimand spider raising mechanism continues its upward 7 5 movement as thecarriage is returned to its loadspider in their elevated positions wherethey are in operative relation to the anvils 40 and the piercing punches4|. As the workraising mechanism approaches its uppermost position thenormally open limit switch 91 is engaged thereby and is closed. Closingof the limit switch 91 completes the circuit of the solenoid relay inthe hydraulic unit 96 and energizes the solenoid of the hydraulic unitto operate the by-pass valve in the hydraulic unit.

As stated above, the hydraulic unit supplies hydraulic fluid medium tothe outer ends of the hydraulic cylinders 53 to move the punches 4|inwardly toward the anvils 40 and the anvils outwardly toward thepunches to thereby clamp the rim and spider between the anvils and theinner ends of the punches. Upon completion of the clamping operation thehydraulic pressure is intensified by the hydraulic unit suiiiciently toenable the punches to pierce the rim and spider. Then the hydraulic unitsupplies hydraulic fluid medium to the inner ends of the hydrauliccylinders 53 allowing the hydraulic fluid medium to flow from the outerends of the hydraulic cylinders and the springs 63 operate to return theanvils and punches to their original positions. After the anvils andpunches have been returned to their original positions, hydraulicpressure acting on the plunger for operating the limit switch 99continues to rise and overcomes the plunger loading spring so that theplunger automatically opens the limit switch. Opening of the limitswitch 99 breaks the circuit to the relay CR3 and de-energizes thesolenoid of the unit 89. De-energization of the solenoid enablesmovement of the valve of the same unit to connect the upper end of thecylinder 20 to the source of air under pressure and the lower end of thecylinder to atmospheric pressure. Thus the piston in the cylinder 20 ismoved downward and the work raising mechanism is lowered to its initialstarting position.

As the work raising mechanism is lowered the rod 23 contacts the limitswitch 94 and again closes the same. Also as the work raising mech anismapproaches its lowermost position the rod 23 closes the limit switch I03and the electronic timer I02 is again energized to repeat the cycle ofoperation by closing the relay CR2. The electronic timer is of courseadjustable to enable obtaining any required time lag between closing ofthe switch I03 and operation of the relay CR2. Thus the time availablefor loading the carriage may be varied to suit different conditions.

The stop switch 83 is electrically connected in circuit with the relaysCRI, CR2 and CR3 in a manner such that opening of the stop switchdeenergizes all three of these relays. As a result operation of themachine may be discontinued by merely pushing the button of the stopswitch and opening the stop switch.

In the event it is desired to mak an emergency stop of the mechanism atany point in the cycle of operation, the emergency stop switch 84 isoperated by pushing its button. Operation of the switch opens thestarting switch holding relay CRI and closes relay CR4. Closing of relayCR4 energizes the solenoid of the unit I05 and operates the three-wayvalve of this unit to connect the opposite ends of both cylinders I6 andto the same source of compressed air. As a result the pistons of bothcylinders immediately come to rest regardless of their respectivepositions in the cycle. It will also be noted that opening of 12 therelay CRI breaks the circuit including the solenoid of the hydraulicunit 96 to stop operation of the hydraulic unit. The relay CR4 is openedand the solenoid of the unit I05 is accordingly de-energized by againpushing the button of the starting switch.

The mechanism for riveting the rim and spider together is the same asthe piercing mechanism with the exception that the anvil I06 and thepunch I01 of each riveting unit shown in Fig-' ure 9A differ from theanvil and punch respectively of each piercing unit. The punch is shapedto engage the end of the head of the rivet which is inserted radiallyinwardly into the pierced holes in the rim and the peripheral flange atthe radially outer end of the spoke. Also, the punch and its holder I08are shaped to engage the radially outer side of the base of the well ofthe rim. The anvil is shaped to engage and head over the projectingportion of the shank of the rivet and to engage the radially inner sideof the portion of the peripheral spoke flange through which the rivetextends. The remainder of the construction of riveting unit being thesame as that of the piercing unit, it will be seen that when oil isadmitted under pressure to the radially outer end of the hydrauliccylinder of the riveting unit the oil acts upon both the anvil and thepunch to move the same toward each other and into engagement with therivet shank and the rim well base and the anvil and punch exert balancedor equal opposed pressures while the heading of the rivet shank and thesecuring of the rim and spider in tight engagement are being effected.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A machine for assembling a rim and wheel body comprising guides for aloose assembly of rim and wheel body with the wheel body resting on therim, said guides being engageable with the rim, a feeding carriagereciprocable in a path parallel to said guides, means on said carriageengageable with the rim and wheel body to angularly position the samewith respect to each other and said guides, means extending transverselyof said guides comprising members engageable with the rim and wheel bodyand movable transversely of said guides for axially moving the rim andwheel body out of engagement with said positioning means and relativelyaxially moving the rim over the wheel body to form the final assembly ofrim and wheel body, said members having means engageable with the rimand wheel body for centering the same and means engageable with theWheel body for angularly positioning the same.

2. A machine for assembling a rim and wheel body comprising guides for aloose assembly of rim and wheel body with the wheel body resting on therim, said guides being engageable with the .rim, a feeding carriagereciprocable in a path parallel to said guides, means on said carriageengageable with the rim and wheel body to angularly position the samewith respect to each other and said guides and means extendingtransversely of said guides comprising members movable transversely ofsaid guides and engageable with the rim and wheel body for axiallymoving the same out of engagement with said positioning means andrelatively axially moving said rim over said wheel body to form thefinal assembly of rim and wheel body.

3. A machine for assembling a rim and wheel body spider having a centralbolting-on portion, a web, and radiating peripherally flanged spokescomprising guides for a loose assembly of rim and spider with the spiderresting on the rim, said guidesbeingengageable with the rim, a feedingcarriage reciprocable in a path parallel to said guides, positioningpins on said carriage engageable with the valve stem hole of the rim andopposite sides of a spoke of the spider to angularly position the rimand spider with respect to each other and said guides and meansextending transversely of said guides comprising a rim carrying memberand a spider carrying member movable transversely of said guides foraxially moving the rim and spider out of engagement with saidpositioning pins and relatively axially moving the rim over theperipherally flanged ends ofthe spokes of the spider to form the finalassembly of rim and spider, said rim carrying member having abutmentmember engageable with the rim to center the same and said spidercarrying member having a pilot engageable in the hub hole of the spiderfor centering the spider and a pin engageable in a bolt hole of thespider to angularly position the same.

4. A machine for assembling a rim and wheel body comprising horizontalguides for a loose assembly of rim and wheel body with the wheel bodyresting on the rim, said guides being engageable with the rim, a feedingcarriage having means engageable with the rim and wheel body toangularly position the same with respect to each other and said guides,vertically movable means for axially moving the rim and wheel bodyupwardly out of engagement with said positioning means and abutmentsengageable by the rim and wheel body during the upward movementthereof," said abutments being positioned with respect to each other tofirst limit the upward movement of the wheel body and then limit theupward movement of the rim whereby the rim is moved upwardly over thewheel body.

5. A machine for assembling a rim and wheel body spider having a centralbolting-on portion, a web, and radiating peripherally flanged spokescomprising horizontal guides for a loose assembly of rim and spider withthe spider resting on the rim, said guides being engageable with therim. a feeding carriage reciprocable in a path parallel to said guides,upright positioning pins on said carriage engageable with the valve stemhole of the rim and opposite sides of a spoke of the spider to angularlyposition the rim and spider with respect to each other and said guides,and means for moving the rim over the spider to engage the rim with theperipherally flanged ends of the spokes of the spider, said meanscomprising a member movable upwardly between said guides and havingblocks engageable with the radially inner and lower sides of the rim toraise the same out of engagement with the valve hole positioning pin,and a second member resiliently mounted on and movable upwardly by saidfirst member having a pilot engageable with the hub hole of the spider,an upwardly extending positioning pin engageable in a bolt hole of thebolting-on portion of the spider and upwardly extending abutment membersengageable with a portion of the bolting-on portion adjacent the boltholes, a stationary abutment member engageable with the bolting-onportion of the spider during the upward movement of the latter andabutment means predeterminedly vertically spaced relative to said lastmentioned abutment member engageable with the rim after the spiderengages said abutment member and the rim'is predeterminedly movedupwardly relative to the -14 spider to overlie the peripherally flangedends. of the spokes of the pider.

6. A machine for assembling a rim and wheel body spider havingperipherally flanged spokes comprising horizontal guides for a looseassembly of rim and spider with the spider resting on the rim, saidguides being engageable with the rim, a feeding carriage reciprocable ina path parallel to said guides for advancing the loose assembly of rimand spider along said guides, means on said feeding carriage engageablewith the rim and spider to angularly position the same with respect toeach other and said guides, means engageable with the rim and spider inadvanced position for moving the same upwardly and relatively moving therim over the spider to engage the rim with the peripherally flanged endsof the spokes to complete the final assembly of rim and spider and meansin predetermined angular relation to said rim and spider angularpositioning means for forming aligned holes in the rim and peripherallyflanged ends of the spokes while the rim and spider are in raisedposition.

7. A machine for assemblying a rim and wheel body spider comprisinghorizontal guides for a loose assembly of rim and spider with the spiderresting on the rim, said guides being engageable with the rim, a feedingcarriage for advancing the rim and spider of the loose assembly alongsaid guides, means on said feeding carriage engageable with the rim andspider to angularly position the same with respect to each other andsaid guides, means having a predetermined angular relation to said firstmentioned means and movable vertically between the guides and engageablewith the rim and spider in advanced position to move the same upwardly,said means centering the rim and spider and angularly positioning thespider, stationary abutments engageable with the rim and spider duringthe upward movement thereof to position the rim and spider with the rimextending over the spider and means having a predetermined angularrelation to said last mentioned means and movable radially of the rimand spider when engaging said fixed abutments for piercing the rim andspider.

8. Mechanism for operating upon a rim and wheel body spider havingoverlying portions comprising piercing units each having an anvil and apunch in axial alignment and located respectively at the radially innerand radially outer sides of the overlying portions, and means fornormally holding said anvil and punch respectively in their radiallyinner and radially outer positions, and means for lubricating the punchof each unit comprising a pump operable to discharge lubricant when thepunch is in its radially inner position and a tube leading from saidpump to a position above the punch in its radially imier position.

9. In a machine for assembling a rim and wheel body spider, mechanismfor axially moving the rim over the spider and positioning the rimrelative to the spider so that the rim and spider have overlyingportions, and mechanism for piercing the overlying portions comprisingpiercing units each having an anvil and a punch movable radially of therim and spider into engagement with an overlying portion from a nor malposition providing for the passage therebetween of the overlyingportion, and means for lubricating the punch of each piercing unitcomprising a pump operated by said mechanism for axially moving the rimover the spider and a tube leading from said pump to a the punch in itsnormal position. ,10. A machine for assembling a'rim and wheel bodyspider having peripherally flanged spokes comprising a verticallymovable member for carrying the rim, a second member resiliently mountedon said first mentioned member for carrying the spider loosely assembledwith the rim, fixed abutments for limiting the upward movement of therim and spider comprising a member engageable with the spider and amember subsequently engageable with the rim whereby the rim is movedupwardly over the spider to engage the rim with the peripherally flangedends of the spokes, means upon one of said members for angularlypositioning the spider and means for piercing the rim and peripherallyflanged ends of the spokes when the rim and spider are in contact withtheir respective abutments, said means comprising piercing units inpredetermined angular relation to said angular positioning means andextending radially of the rim and spider with each unit having an anviland a punch movable toward and away from each other and the rim andspider.

11. A machine for assembling a rim and wheel body spider having acentral bolting-on portion, a web and radiating peripherally flangedspokes comprising an upwardly movable member having blocks engageablewith the radially inner and lower side of the rim to raise the rim and asecond member resiliently mounted on and movable upwardly by said firstmentioned member having a pilot engageable with the hub hole of thespider, and upwardly extending positioning pin engageable in a bolt holeof the bolting-0n portion of the spider, an upwardly extending abutmentmember engageable with a portion of the bolting-on portion adjacent thebolt holes, a stationary abutment member engageable with the bolting-onportion of the spider during the upward movement of the latter andabutment means predeterminedly vertically spaced relative to said lastmentioned abutment member engageable with position above 16 the rimafter the spider engages said abutment member and the rim ispredeterminedly moved upwardly relative to the spider to overlie theperipherally flanged ends of the spokes of the spider.

12. Mechanism for operating upon a rim and wheel body spider havingperipherally flanged spokes comprising a supporting member, a yokedepending from and movably supported by said supporting member andhaving depending arms, an anvil on one arm of said yoke, a cylinder onthe other arm of said yoke, a piston reciprocable within said cylinder,a punch in axial alignment with said anvil and carried by said pistonand means for raising the rim and the spider, said means having apredetermined angular relation to said yoke and locating the overlyingportions of the rim and spider between said anvil and punch.

13. Mechanism for operating upon a rim and wheel body spider havingoverlying portions comprising a supporting member, a yoke depending fromand supported by said supporting member and having depending arms, ananvil on one arm of said yoke, a cylinder on the other arm of said yokehaving ports at its opposite ends for passage of fluid under pressure, apiston reciprocable within said cylinder, a punch in axial alignmentwith said anvil and carried by said piston and means for raising the rimand the spider and locating the overlying portions thereof between saidanvil and punch.

FREDERICK P. SHARPE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,444,909 Hail Feb. 13, 19231,875,448 Hanna Sept. 6, 1932 1,930,258 Tormyn et a1 Oct. 10, 19331,995,486 Tormyn et a1. Mar. 26, 1935 2,202,894 Bihler June 4, 1940

